About
Marcel Brenner is a Research Assistant at the Chair of Practical Theology III within the Faculty of Protestant Theology at the University of Tübingen. He is affiliated with the Evangelical Church of Württemberg and collaborates with the FOR 2828 research group on de/sacralization of texts in burial contexts. His work bridges theology with empirical religious research, focusing on ritual theory and contemporary Protestant practices.
- Education:
- First theological examination (2020) from the Evangelical Church in Baden
- Second theological examination (2022) and ordination
- Study of Protestant Theology (2017–2018, University of Tübingen)
- Preacher training (2015, Evangelical Church of Württemberg)
- Academic background in Protestant Theology and Chemistry (2012–2020)
- High school diploma in Biotechnology (2011)
- Research Interests:
Brenner’s doctoral project, "Doing Holy Communion," explores Protestant communion rituals through participant observation and videography. His work applies practice theory (Reckwitz, 2003) to analyze how communion is enacted via human and non-human actors, emphasizing sensory experiences, tacit knowledge, and the theological significance of ritual practices such as communitization, differentiation, and sacralization.
- Projects & Collaborations:
- Research Assistant for FOR 2828 ("De/Sacralization of Texts") since 2022
- Contact person for Tübingen internship in empirical religious research and practice theory (2024–2025)
- Deputy Speaker of the Faculty of Protestant Theology
- Member of the Working Group for Empirical Religious Research and Open Church Württemberg
